DESCRIPTION:The Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry has fewer required courses than Bachelor of Science program, which allows students greater flexibility in choosing electives and additional concentrations. Although not intended for students planning to become practicing chemists, this degree program is well suited for those needing a strong chemistry background as preparation for other career opportunities. The degree may be used to meet pre-medicine and pre-dentistry requirements when appropriate courses from the biological sciences are used to fulfill elective hours. However, the B.S. in Chemistry–Biochemistry is strongly recommended for students interested in medical or dental school.

The Bachelor of Science in Chemistry consists of four concentrations: Biochemistry, Biochemistry - Pre-Medicine/Pre-Osteopathy/Pre-Dentistry, Chemistry and Materials Chemistry.

Biochemistry provides one of the strongest possible preparations for medical and dental school. Tailored for students interested in careers in medicine, dentistry or pharmacy, as well as those planning to pursue graduate study in biochemistry, it provides ideal preparation for students intending to pursue a Doctor of Pharmacy degree, having been designed to closely fit the requirements of the Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Pharmacy (NEOUCOP). Students may transfer to NEOUCOP after three years at Kent, using 16 credit hours of courses from NEOUCOP to complete their Kent State degree requirements. With the appropriate electives, this degree concentration may be certified by the American Chemical Society.

Biochemistry–Pre-Medicine/Pre-Osteopathy/Pre-Dentistry provides one of the strongest possible preparations for medical and dental school.

Chemistry is designed for students interested in careers as practicing chemists in industrial research and development, in government research laboratories or in academia. It includes a strong foundation in both chemistry and related disciplines (physics and mathematics), and provides opportunities to pursue advanced chemistry electives. This concentration meets the requirements for certification by the American Chemical Society and is ideal for students who plan to pursue graduate studies in chemistry.

Materials Chemistry is recommended for students interested in pursuing graduate study or industrial careers in materials science, including nanotechnology. Its requirements, similar to those of the traditional chemistry concentration, provide an opportunity for more in-depth study in the synthesis and characterization of inorganic and organic materials, including polymers.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES:Chemists and materials scientists held about 94,100 jobs in 2008. Chemists accounted for about 84,300 of these, and materials scientists accounted for about 9,700 jobs. In addition, 24,800 chemists held faculty positions.

ADMISSIONREQUIREMENTS:General Admissions for Freshman Students: Students most likely to be admitted and succeed at the Kent Campus are those who have graduated with at least 16 units of the recommended college preparatory curriculum in high school, who have achieved a cumulative high school grade point average of 2.5 or higher (on a 4.0 scale), and whose composite ACT score is 21 or better (980 combined critical reading and math SAT score). For more information on admissions, visit the Admissions website for new freshmen.

General Admissions for Transfer Students: Generally, a transfer applicant who has taken 12 or more semester hours with a college cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 on a 4.0 scale may be admitted. An applicant who has taken fewer than 12 semester hours will be evaluated on both collegiate and high school records. For more information on admissions, visit the Admissions website for transfer students.

GRADUATIONREQUIREMENTS:Minimum 121 total credit hours and 42 upper-division hours for graduation. Minimum 2.00 GPA overall and 2.00 GPA in major required for graduation.

LANGUAGEREQUIREMENT: Yes

STUDY ABROAD/AWAY OPPORTUNITIES: Exchange program with the University of Leicester (UK)

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